FFF and Happy Birthday to TINA TURNER

 

Another birthday for Femme Fatale Friday as we celebrate one of the greatest entertainers of all time, and an epic icon of music, Tina Turner 💖

Anna Mae Bullock was born on November 26th 1939, she began her career in 1957 as part of, Turner's Kings of Rhythm, being called, Little Ann.

In 1960 she was introduced as, Tina Turner on a duet, with Ike Turner, and the team became one of the biggest musical forces with incredible hits like, Proud Mary, River Deep-Mountain High, and, Natbush City Limits.  And, she appeared in the film, Tommy, along with The Who, Ann-Margret and others, it remains one of the most iconic rock music motion pictures of all time.

Her infamous relationship with Ike ended in 1976 and the star continued to perform their original songs.  Her divorce was final in 1978 but their label released two more albums under their name.  After that she spent several years as more of a "nostalgic act" playing hotel ballrooms.

But in 1981, Rod Stewart asked Tina to perform "Hot Legs" with him on an episode of Saturday Night LIVE.  She then started opening for the Rolling Stones, appearing with Mick on stage for some duets.

In 1983 she was signed to Capitol Records and released the album, Private Dancer, which ended up going 5X Platinum and relaunching her career for a completely new era and generations.  To this day, it's considered one of the greatest comebacks in musical history.

In 1984 she achieved her one and only #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with "What's Love Got to Do With It" but would go on to have numerous Top 10 singles like,  "Better Be Good To Me" and "Private Dancer".  In 1985 she would go on to co-star with Mel Gibson in, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and score another Top 10 with, "We Don't Need Another Hero".

Turner's star has only gotten brighter since then, cementing her as one of the greatest female legends of rock and roll, considered by many to be the, Queen of Rock N Roll.

She is one of the most powerful stage performers of all time, always including incredible dance numbers as part of her shows, she was a force on stage, and noted for one of the most impressive pair of legs of all time.  Proud Mary still is one of the most incredible songs of all time to me and always will be.

Happy Birthday, Tina Turner! 

Happy 107th Birthday to the Man in the Mask

 Happy Birthday to the late, great, Lone Ranger himself, Clayton Moore! 

Moore portrayed the classic American hero from 1949 to 1951 and from 1954 to 1957 but unlike some others, Moore embrased the character and continued to dawn the mask for the rest of his life whenever called upon, even for an unforgettable episode of Happy Days as he would surprise The Fonz on his birthday (which gave re-runs of the classic western a new surge with young people in the 70s).

He was born September 14th 1914, Jack Carlton Moore in Chicago Illinois, the youngest of three sons.  His father, Charles Sprague Moore was a well-to-do real estate broker and his mother, Theresa Violet was a housewife.

"Jack", a natural athlete, became a circus acrobat by age 8 and appeared at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago with a trapeze act (no wonder he was so fearless of all those western film stunts).

Moving out to Hollywood in the 30's, Moore took on parts as a stuntman and bit-player between modeling jobs (yes, I said modeling), until he was persuaded to change his stage name to, Clayton by producer Edward Small.  After which Moore got parts in four Republic Pictures cliff-hangers and two films for Columbia Pictures.

Moore served his country during World War II in the United States Army as part of their first Motion Picture Unit, making training films.

Moore was working on the serial, Ghost of Zorro, when he caught the eye of Lone Ranger radio producer and co-creator, George W Trendle.  

The show and character was a world wide sensation, he became the single most recognizable character in the world for a few years

The only interruption in Moore's appearances as the Lone Ranger came from 1979 to 1984 when the film producer of, The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981, which I talked about before).  Jack Wrather owned the rights to the character and filed a law suit for Moore to stop appearing as the character, Moore continued by altering his costume and using a pair of wrap-around sunglasses instead of a mask.  The public was rabidly behind Moore in the suit (who counter-sued) and is blamed for part of that films lack of ticket sales.  (They'd have been FAR better off  by working with the legendary Moore and allowing him to help promote their film, just my take).

Even with this interruption in his portrayal, Moore will forever be synonymous with The Lone Ranger.

HIGH-HO SILVER, AWAY!!!  We thank you for all the wonderful memories, Mr Moore, and miss you!

Scooby Doo, 52 years old ... in human years...

 Scooby Doo, where are you?  We've been asking that question since this day in 1969, Happy Anniversary/Birthday to one of the most famous pups in history, beloved by tens-of-millions all over the world.

The series was created by Joe Ruby & Ken Spears who also created DynoMutt Dog Wonder, Help! It's the Hair Bear Bunch and Jabber Jaw.

The went on to assemble, Ruby-Spears Productions that would give Saturday mornings to, Fangface, Plastic Man, Saturday Supercade, Mister T, The Chipmunks and the Salkinds Saturday morning version of, Superman.  The production company would later be bought out by Hanna-Barbera.

The original cast features Don Messick as Scooby Doo (Papa Smurf, Bamm Bamm Ruble, Muttley, Astro).  Casey Kasem as Shaggy (American Top 40 Countdown, Robin the Boy Wonder when Burt Ward wasn't playing the part).  Frank Welker as Freddy (Megatron, Dr Claw, Ray Stanz on The Real Ghostbusters and would replace Lorenzo Music as Garfield after Music's passing).  Stefanianna Chritopherson would play Daphne Blake in Season one, then Heather North would step into the role for season 2 & 3.  Nicole Jaffe portrayed Velma Dinkley in Season 1 & 2 but would be replaced by Pat Stevens in Season 3.

The characters continue to appear in animate films and two somewhat forgettable live-action films.  With a throwback to the classic "New Scooby Doo Movies" they have been teaming the gang with people like legendary rock band, KISS and the stars of the WWE.

The original three seasons is still seen as the best of the best!

55 years Treking through life...

 

"Keep looking, you'll find yourself there." is one of the lines that I've heard from many people about, Star Trek, and it's true, sort of, I haven't found my counterpart, but did find my place, Deep Space 9.

Today is the 55th anniversary of the television debut of Star Trek the original series, a television show that would change the world.  People's outlook on the future changed to one of hope.  

Most of the science fiction from that era and before was all about alien raiding parties, planetary conquest and the destruction of all mankind, very few tales of the future being one of human achievement.  Until Gene Roddenberry pushed for a story of man regaining a track of peace and exploration. 

After the original series, The Next Generation wouldn't debut until 1987 but would continue with the quest for peace and exploration, it expanded Roddenberry's dream of our future.

Up until this time, I was far more into the world of Star Wars than I was in Star Trek, the Lucas version was a bit more like the adventrous swash buckling classics that I enjoyed.  I didn't even start watching Next Generation until it was in syndication. 

Then on January 3rd 1993, Star Trek Deep Space 9 would premier and I found my home in the universe that Roddenberry created.  My family was in the tire business for over 50 years, roadside truck stops were part of my life, I got them, I understood them because I grew up in them and this was a truck stop in outer space.  It was a connection to the Star Trek Universe that I didn't know I was looking for.  Even though I liked Next Generation, it was DS9 that made me a, Trekker and proud of it.

A more in-depth blog about DS9 will come soon, but it's Roddenberry's effect on society that I want to address here, how that if you do watch enough Star Trek, you will find yourself, or at least you place in that universe, sooner or later you find it, and you're hooked, even if on just that one show.  Because I found my place there, the rest of it all makes sense now, it's inspirational to me, I get chills when I see that classic ship on the screen.

There are certain moments in film that I will never forget, seeing the USS Enterprise on the big screen in 1979 is one of them, even if it didn't hit me until far later in life, when the moment happened for me, that memory came awake like the dawn of a new day, a kid, staring up at the screen and being in awe.

A television show that broke barriers down in many ways for the late 60's, fan participation, racial diversity, ethnic diversity (in the positive ways) unlike a lot of shows today, it gave a bit of hope for everyone that mankind can truly and boldly go, where no man has gone before, in so many ways.

Thank you, Gene!

Great Americana Legends: Legend of the Lone Ranger

 Not many heroes from the wild west era of Hollywood have the staying power and respect as, The Lone Ranger, thanks in most part, to the incredible strength of Clayton Moore, who brought a level of credibility and trust to the character that nobody since has come close to.

In 1981 the masked avenger of the west took to the big screen with an unknown behind the mask, seems appropriate too bad it wasn't.  Klinton Spilsbury was a photographer and sculptor in New York when he was discovered for the role and looked good in the mask, but his acting was so bad (some claim intoxication, but no confirmation) it had to be dubbed over by actor, James Keach (National Lampoons Vacation) for the entire film. 

They did consider some experienced actors for the role; Stephen Collins (Star Trek The Motion Picture), Nicholas Guest (National Lampoons Christmas Vacation) and the more experienced Bruce Boxleitner (Tron) were all considered but they went with the tender foot. 

For the role of Tonto they wanted to make sure he was an American Indian, Michael Horse was cast, in one of his only two roles he ever had, but a silversmith by trade.

As a 10 year old kid, I was unaware of the dub and was awestruck by the film, especially with the incredible cast of characters.  President Ulysses S Grant (Jason Robards), Wild Bill Hickok (Richard Farnsworth), Buffalo Bill Cody (Ted Flicker) and General George Custer (Lincoln Tate) all appeared in the film, like a wild west version of, The Justice League.

One of the biggest concerns of producers was that the film not be seen as a spoof, in fact, one producer made sure to state to the media, "this isn't Blazing Saddles."

The writers seemed promising, Ivan Goff & Ben Roberts were part creators of Charlie's Angels and had worked together on the highly successful series, Mannix.  The film's story had a good foundation to it.  Villain Butch Cavendish (Christopher Lloyd, a COLD performance but still great) kidnapped the President and demanded the surrender of Texas to be reinstated to it's own nation.

Composer John Barry did an excellent job with the score, but had some amazing voice over help from Country Music legend, Merle Hagard as the narrator of the story.  Barry also worked on Goldfinger, Lion in Winter, Out of Africa and Dances with Wolves.  But it's Hagards haunting narration of the film that kept it from being a complete overall bomb. 

Even though the film was a critical failure with critics and audiences, many like myself, remember it with great fondness and I still get moved by the first look of Spilsbury in the mask, it brought back great memories of watching Moore in the role with my Grandad. 📺

The film did have the confidence of the studio at the time, they did  a massive advertising campaign with plenty of merchandise of figures, lunch box, coloring books, board game and even a Rangers Star belt buckle, yes I still have mine.  The figures still mounted on the original cards are worth quite a bit of 💲

The film is somewhat easy to find on Youtube and I think is still worth it if you can ignore the dubbed voice of the hero, it's a pretty decent film.  Like many in this era, it has, Superman The Movie to thank for the producers & studios enthusiasm for making it to the big screen.

In modern times, there is no more Americana than Superman, but when it comes to the old west, nobody compares to The Lone Ranger, that's why he would cameo on an episode of Happy Days as the childhood hero of, The Fonz, which can also be found online and worth the look, it's great. 👍

For the record, I absolutely LOVE this film and am not ashamed of it in any way at all, it's a great part of my childhood.  The Disney remake of 2013 on the other hand is an embarrassment to the legendary characters, it was absolutely awful.

Femme Fatale Friday : Julie Newmar, Cat Scratch Fever Forever

 

To say that Julie Newmar is one of the most beautiful and naturally sexiest women to ever walk this earth would be a bold statement but also an understatement.  Newmar has been wowing the world for decades. 💖

Born, Julia Charlene Newmeyer on August 16th 1933, in Los Angeles California, she began dance at an early age.  Her father, Don Newmeyer was a Phys Ed teacher for Los Angeles City College and played professional football for the Los Angeles Buccaneers.  Her mother, Helen was a fashion designer and Swedish-French born, who later invested in real estate, which Julie would also get into, later in life.

In 1956 Julie was in a stage production of, Lil Abner, for 3-

minutes she portrayed, Stupefyin' Jones, but it wasn't until she reprised the role for the film in 1959 that she would catch the attention of the world for her statuesque beauty, but this wasn't her first taste of fame.

At age 15 Julie was the Prima Ballerina for the Los Angeles Orchestra and this fueled her fire for stage production.

She performed in regional productions of Zeigfield Follies (1956), Damn Yankees (1961) and Irma la Douce (1965) and would win a Tony Award in 1958 on Broadway for her performance in, The Marriage-Go Round and would reprise that role in the 1961 film.

Then in 1966 she found the role that would immortalize her forever, the sleek, sultry and every so sexy, Catwoman in the television series, Batman, starring Adam West & Burt Ward.

Julie's costume for the role is also immortalized in the Smithsonian Institute as she altered the costume that her belt would fit around her hips rather than her waist to show off her hour-glass figure.

Former Miss America, Lee Meriweather would play the Catwoman role in the 1966 Batman film, Newmar had a scheduling conflict, and Eartha Kitt would take the role in the final season of the show.  But today, Newmar is the one that most fans associate with the role.

Newmar would go on to make appearances in numerous television series; Twilight Zone, F Troop, Bewitched, Beverly Hillbillies, Hart To Hart, Love Boat, Get Smart, Columbo, The Bionic Woman, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (still looking good in a skin tight outfit), CHiPs, Fantasy Island and many more...

In 1995 Newmar found a whole new generation when she was paid tribute in the film, To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything Julie Newmar.  Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo all went drag for their roles and it was a hit, and still has a very strong cult following to this day.  Newmar only did a brief cameo at the end of the film but was very flattered for all the attention and dedication.

Newmar stays active to this day and has always been an avid gardener, she also followed in her mothers footsteps and became a real estate investor, even having a short feud with actor James Belushi, to the point that it almost ended up in court, after it was settled, Newmar did an appearance on Belushi's television show as the two made fun of the feud.

Newmar has remained one of Hollywoods class acts, rarely if ever being the target of the tabloids and always fighting for causes in her community, a true champion of the celebrity set.  But to some of us, she'll always be, Catwoman 😍😻

Remembering Robin

 Today would have been the 70th Birthday of the great, Robin Williams, and the world is such a sadder place without him.  His loss should be mentioned with those like Elvis, Marilyn and Dean, gone too soon for reasons that could have been helped, and far too soon.

We saw a lot of Robin in the characters he portrayed because most producers were smart enough to give him the basics then just let him go, so many of his most memorable scenes were completely Robin just doing what he did best, go with the moment.  

Not enough people really get the greatness of, The World According to Garp (1982), and what it told us about Robin, how much he loved life and it's wonders, it's a film that should be talked about more often.  I felt it was better to start with this film because it was the first time that the masses really got to see HIM.  It was a bit odd, but also about the oddity of life itself and how one odd individual tried to live it, showing that, in reality, we're all odd.

I'm not sure how much of Robin we got from, Mork & Mindy, because sit-coms of the day were pretty structured and I know from reading about him, Robin didn't like that part of it, he like films where he had more freedom to just be himself and let fly, so I'm going to skip that part.

At the time, and for a long time after, Popeye (1980) really wasn't

appreciated, but in fact, it was fairly straight up with the classic characters, we'd just never seen them come to life before but it really was a Popeye cartoon just with real people.  Put it in with 1990's Dick Tracy and 1980's Flash Gordon and you suddenly realize that the movie was pretty good.  The soundtrack was great and I always felt that Robin's interpretation of the character was spot on, just not sure if people were ready to see it live on the big screen.

Many great films between, but when, Dead Poets Society came out, it really did throw some people off because of how serious the nature of the content was.  Yes, we got Robin, but a side of him that was more down to earth, a true Teacher, trying to enlighten young minds and enflame young passions with life.  To this day, I have to be in the right mood to watch this or it haunts me for a week, the realism of these kids and the pressures they were under pulls you in.  Keeting feels like he's teaching you as you watch it, you really get pulled in and live it with them.  Although the poster centers on Robin, the film is far more about the boys in his class, far and away more.

Taking on a true story, or even one just "inspired by" would

restrict a lot of people but it seems that, Adrian Cronauer though wasn't a restriction for Robin, in fact, it seemed perfect for him.  The over the top DJ from the war was just right and only lent itself to Robin's impromptu style, he learned about the man and just let loose.  Again though, there was the element of a younger bunch that his character was influencing when he suddenly took over the language class.  It also showed the darkest sides of war, deceit and betrayal of someone taken in like a brother.  But it left you with laughter as he summed up Sgt Major Dickerson in one line... you know the one... 

Then along came Disney, with the opportunity to have Robin let loose on the silver screen in even bigger ways than he'd ever done, with a Genie and we've felt the magic ever since. He received an honorary Oscar for the performance, but many felt that it was also an apology for his being ignored for an award in, Dead Poets Society (which he should have won), but either way, Oscar didn't matter in this one.  This will be forever his best known role, even with the atrocious live-action film Disney would later make, Robin will always be Genie to the world.  We heard him sing, we felt him dance and we FELT the magic!  That was Robin's truest gift, we FELT it, in whatever role, he got to our soul and touched it.

Looking back, Adrian Cronauer seems like a test run for the role

that would be Robin's true masterpiece, Patch Adams.  This was more like hand & glove than any other role he ever had, he really was Patch... In this film, you feel all those other roles, you see the development and growth and blossoming of both actor and the person he portrayed.  Like Johnny Depp for Capt Jack or Robert Downy Jr as Tony Stark, Robin Williams was born, created, tailored for Patch Adams and the messages he had for the medical community and the world.  I've given away at least a dozen copies to young people who wanted to be Doctors, "watch it until you GET IT", is what I tell them.

So many films left off this list; Moscow on the Hudson, The Fisher King, Good Will Hunting, Hook, What Dreams May Come, Toys.... the man is truly one of the greatest legends in the history of all entertainment.

It wasn't until it was too late that we found out the deeper side of Robin, the issues of depression and later, starting to lose his faculties.  Robin died actually believing that nobody love him or remembered him, that is the darkness of depression.  I think I can easily speak for most of the world when I say he was one of the most beloved people to EVER honor us with his talent and the beauty of his soul.  Even though they say it was suicide, I still say that he'd already gone, passed from a broken heart and I feel that pain and only wish he knew how loved he was.

Keep an eye on loved ones, don't let yourself get caught up in the world to the point that you overlook those who truly have a place in your heart.  Depression, more than anything else, is a true silent killer.  This is something we CAN beat, a tragedy we do have the ability to slow down and sometimes stop.  Depression is as real as it gets, it affects everyone, weather people admit it or not, we've all had issue with it.  Don't ignore it, don't deny it, be honest with it and about it.  Nobody deserves to feel worthless.

We love you Robin and we miss you dearly. 💓

Femme Fatale Friday - Dita Von Teese

 Yes, could have waited until closer to her birthday (Sept 28th, just incase you were wondering) but couldn't wait, can you blame me? 😍

The woman who not only brought back Burlesque but also became its reigning Queen, she reformed this great artform for a new age and took it over the top, yet always maintaining a level of class and dignity that no other comes close to.  Her performances around the world are regular sellouts in any city from Las Vegas to Paris to Tokyo, she has the world wrapped around her silk gloved finger.

Von Teese grew up in Rochester Michigan with the last name, Sweet, which to me seems very appropriate. 😉 Spending

afternoons at the movies with her mother watching some of the greats who inspired her like Betty Grable, Mae West, Carmen Miranda, Marlene Dietrich.  Peaks at her father's Playboy magazines also inspired her, especially the lacey lingerie that the legendary Playmates would wear.

While in college in California she studied historic costuming and trained as a costume designer, even then, she would produce and copyrighting her fashion shoots herself.

Von Teese began work in a California strip club at age 19 but was not impressed with her fellow performers lack of imagination and originality, often working classical looks into her performances.

Her stage name Dita, was a tribute to silent film star Dita Parlo and her famous "beauty mark" is actually at tattoo even though she wears it better than anyone with a natural one.

Dita was later featured in Playboy in 1999, 2001 & 2002, where she also graced the cover.  She has published books on burlesque and fetish while giving birth to a new age of burlesque.

I will confess, I fell for this beauty the first time I ever saw her picture, which I mistook for a vintage shot from the 30's or 40's, but was delighted to find out she was here and now. 💘

Today, she continues to design and sell her lingerie as well as book and many other items, including the vase she holds in the picture at the top of the page, please check out her website and social media who share some LOVE 💖

Mannix, a forgotten television classic for gumshoe fans!

 During a facebook exile, I get the chance to get caught up on binging classic television shows, lately I've gotten back into an old favorite, the Mike Connors hit, Mannix.

The basic story is about a classic television gumshoe, Joe Mannix, a US Army Veteran, who starts out as part of a major investigation company, corporate PI for hire, that builds to him going out on his own, realizing that such a structure to do PI work, doesn't work.  The decision for the change actually came from television legend, Lucille Ball herself (the show was produced by, Desi-Lu Studios), who thought all the computers didn't work and wanted the show to go more along the lines of a classic private investigator.

In season two, Mannix was on his own, along with secretary Peggy Fair (Gail Fisher), a policeman's widow.  In the shows existence, Fisher was nominated for 4 Emmy's, winning one and 3 Golden Globes, winning twice.

The show lasted an awesome 8 seasons, from 1967 to 1975.  The writing was consistently good, with action from start to finish, always with a quality opening teaser, it's easy to see how it influenced other similar shows for the 10 years after Mannix went off the air.  The show had both blind and deaf characters and tackled racism on several occasions, as well as gambling and alcohol addictions and the problems with PTSD in Veterans.

Mike Connors himself was nominated for 6 Golden Globes, winning once and 4 Emmy nominations.  He graced the cover of TV Guide on multiple occasions. 

The guests on the show reads like a whos-who of television/film legends... Julie Adams (Creature from the Black Lagoon), Adam West (Batman), Yvonne Craig (Star Trek, Batman), Dana Elcar (McGyver), Darrin McGavin (Kolchak the Night Stalker), Tom Selleck (Magnum PI), William Shatner (Star Trek), Martin Sheen (The West Wing), Linda Evans (Dynasty), Milton Berle (comedy legend), Lou Rawls (singing legend), Bill Bixby (The Incredible Hulk), Sally Kellerman (MASH), Burgess Meredith (Batman - television, Rocky -films), Richard Roundtree (Shaft) and SO many more.

Like many classic television shows, I'd love to have seen the actor reprise his character on later shows like, Magnum PI or even an episode of The Love Boat needing a private investigator, or even helping David Banner through a tough spot on, The Hulk.  Network executives just never saw the potential for such cameo's. 

No matter what, it was 8 years of a really great television classic, that stands the test of time today, find it on DVD to enjoy with your family & friends!

Happy Birthday Mike Shannon

 68 young years in the world and 50 years in Baseball, Mike Shannon is a true treasure to the St. Louis Cardinals, the state of Missouri and to Sports Broadcasting. 

Born Thomas Michael Shannon, he was the second oldest of six kids, raised on the south side of St. Louis.  His senior year in high school he was, Player of the Year in Football and Basketball (only student ever to win both in the same year) ... but not...? okay LOL  He went on to play football at the University of Missouri but would leave in 1958 to begin his baseball career with the Cardinals.  His former coach, Frank Broyles said that if Shannon had stayed at MU Football, he might have won the Heisman.

With the Cardinals as a player, he helped the team to two World Championships in 1964 and 1967, in July of 66 he was named NL Player of the Month.  Shannon hit the final home run in the original Busch Stadium and then hit the first homerun in the second Busch Stadium, his playing career was cut short in 1970 when he was diagnosed with a kidney disease.  He would go on to be part of three more World Championships as part of the Cardinals broadcast team.

In 1971 he began in the radio broadcast booth alongside the legendary, Jack Buck and was partnered with him for almost 30 years, in 2002 Shannon was named as the lead broadcaster, and he's been there ever since. Shannon was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014 and in 2016 he moved to only broadcasting home games, 2021 will be his final season broadcasting for the team.

For many years he was the proprietor of, Mike Shannon's Steak & Seafood House in downtown St. Louis (I've got four of the original dinner menus) and still has two, Mike Shannon's Grill, one in Edwardsville IL and one, that many eat at, in the St Louis airport, I always stop in for a bite when traveling.

Growing up a Royals fan, I missed the last part of the Jack Buck era, but since becoming a Cardinals fan, Mike Shannon has been the The Man when it comes to the radio calls of the Cards games and it's not going to be the same without him.  

Happy Birthday Mike, and Thank You. 💖⚾

My sports collection shelf, dedicated to Mike Shannon, just to the left is a couple of things for Michael Wacha (wacha wacha) 😆

Theory Thursday - Grease, the dying dream

Theory Thursday

Grease
The dying dream.

Several years ago this thing started, producers have since denied the theory but I think they were wrong to do so, and I think the wrong person was picked for the dream.

The theory said that it was Sandy dying after Danny rescued her from the ocean, but how would Sandy know who Danny's classmates were?  This is why the story should have this as Danny's dying dream.

To me, embracing this theory would make the movie/story even more meaningful, as in the end, all of Danny's friends live, happily ever after and Danny flies off to heaven with the girl of his dreams.

This also allows the "magic moments" in the film to make perfect sense, like Frenchy's visit from an angelic Frankie Avalon, or how the garage turns into a clean white studio for the, Greased Lightning dance and song scene.

Turning this into somewhat of a fairy tale romance film would probably put it up a few notches and place it with films like, The Princess Bride and/or Willy Wonka.

They should embrace the magic.

Television Tuesday - Sammy kisses Archie

Television Tuesday

Say cheese, for Sammy's big kiss!

In its day, this was an incredibly controversial and hysterical moment in television history.

The photo was actually a photo being taken, as part of the story in the episode, both were smiling until just before the flash went off, Sammy turned and kissed Archie Bunker and the audience lost it with laughter, as did all of us at home watching.

To this day some people will still claim that, All In The Family and actor Carroll O'Connor are racist, and nothing could be further from the truth.  This show was producer, Norman Lear's greatest work, and one of my personal favorites.

All In The Family, was controversial, there is no question there, but it was real, it was a real look at many average American households, and it wasn't in the south.  The Archie Bunker character is still famous to this day for ruffling feathers of the masses.  It won many awards, broke down many barriers and gave us some of the most memorable moments in TV history.

As for O'Connor, in life, he and Sammy Davis Jr were great friends and thought the world of each other, it's we fans who

were stifled at not getting to see them perform more together, this odd couple would have made an awesome movie.

It's rumored that O'Connor was looked at as a possible antagonist law enforcement character for the Cannonball Run films but it never worked out, too bad.

O'Connor was one of the "outer rim" members of Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack (as was Judy Garland and "Police Woman" Angie Dickinson), one of the ones that is rarely associated with the group but it was a very tight nit bunch, although O'Connor rarely appeared with the group at public celebrations.

No matter what, these two entertainers were true legends and still incredibly respected, as they should be, they and their talent are greatly missed in today's entertainment world.